Bradford is set to host a new data centre designed to drive AI innovation and strengthen digital services across northern England. The proposed facility, located near a major city centre route, is part of a wider redevelopment plan that includes a flagship low-carbon energy hub.
The centre will house advanced computing infrastructure for organisations with intensive data processing needs. It aims to attract AI and tech-driven businesses while supporting universities—both in Bradford and beyond—as a regional anchor for academic and commercial digital collaboration.
At the heart of the development is its integration with the city’s emerging district heat network, led by green energy firm 1Energy. This £70–75 million project will use one of the UK’s largest air source heat pumps to supply low-carbon heating to buildings including Bradford City Hall, the Combined Court Centre and the Magistrates’ Courts. HM Courts and Tribunals Service has already committed to a 20-year connection, with the network expected to cut emissions by 8,000 tonnes annually and become operational by 2026.
By 2027, the network will deliver heating via insulated underground pipes to a broad range of civic and educational buildings, including the University of Bradford and Bradford College. The university has hailed the system as transformative, estimating tens of millions in savings as it phases out outdated boilers.
The data centre will further contribute by capturing and redirecting excess heat to the 1Energy system, helping reduce energy costs for other users. Four emergency generators will ensure uninterrupted operation, reinforcing the centre’s role in maintaining critical digital services.
City Hall’s separate £2 million upgrade to its heating and hot water systems adds to the city’s decarbonisation push, supported by government funding.
Bradford’s alignment of digital infrastructure with green energy exemplifies a forward-looking approach to sustainable urban development. The project’s collaboration between public institutions, academia and private firms reflects a pragmatic model for responsible AI growth.
As other cities confront the dual challenge of digital expansion and climate responsibility, Bradford’s integrated model offers a compelling template—fusing technological ambition with environmental stewardship.
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